What are Chords? What is the smallest unit in physics?

In summary, there is speculation that the most basic "building block" of the universe could be a sound wave or a chord, according to an AP article. However, this idea is not supported by scientific evidence and is likely a misunderstanding of a musical analogy used to explain concepts in quantum mechanics and string theory.
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Mason_Free
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What are Chords? What is the smallest "unit" in physics?

Someone told me they read a Yahoo AP article stating the most basic "building block" of the universe was a sound wave, and upon discovery this had been named a chord(or perhaps cord/kord/etc).

Again, this was an AP article, but I haven't found anything on it.

What is this?
 
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  • #2


That's nonsense I'm afraid.
Are you sure this wasn't april the 1st?
 
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I bet it was http://today.lbl.gov/2012/02/28/smoot-helps-grateful-dead%E2%80%99s-mickey-hart-interpret-music-of-the-cosmos/ .

More seriously, Wilczek has used a musical analogy. I can't locate it now, but IIRC it was about the Schroedinger wave equation and its eigenstates, which are analogous to the wave equation for sound and its harmonics.
 
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Yeah...Someone had told me it might be a misunderstanding of a string theory analogy ..something about tiny strings being the most basic bit of the universe, and these strings vibrate. With different vibrations creating a different particle, etc.
 

FAQ: What are Chords? What is the smallest unit in physics?

What are Chords?

Chords are a set of three or more musical notes that are played simultaneously to create harmony and melody in music. They are commonly used in songs, and can be major or minor in tonality.

What is the smallest unit in physics?

The smallest unit in physics is the Planck length, which is approximately 1.616 x 10^-35 meters. It is the scale at which quantum effects become significant and the laws of classical physics no longer apply.

How are chords formed?

Chords are formed by combining three or more notes from a scale. The most common chords are triads, which consist of a root note, a third note, and a fifth note. The combination of these notes creates a specific sound and tonality.

What determines the sound of a chord?

The sound of a chord is determined by the intervals between the notes. The distance between the root note and the third note determines if the chord is major or minor, while the distance between the root note and the fifth note determines the overall sound and tonality of the chord.

Can chords be played on any instrument?

Yes, chords can be played on any instrument that is capable of producing multiple notes simultaneously. This includes instruments such as pianos, guitars, and even wind instruments. The specific fingering or technique may vary depending on the instrument, but the concept of combining multiple notes to create a chord remains the same.

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